Sled



April 30, 1 929. w. H. ELFRETH 1,711,017

SLED

Filed Aug. 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY..

' April 30, 1929. w, ELFRETH 1,711,017

SLED

F ile'd Au 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT0R.V

FEV

/ I ATTORNEY.

April 30, 1929. I w, ELFRETH 1,71 1,017

SLED

Filed Aug. 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

p i 9. 1 W."H. ELFRETH 1,111,017

SLED

Filed Aug. 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig {3 Pay [5 Fey/6 IN VEN TOR.

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Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM HENRY ELFRETH, F WESTTOW'N, PENNSYLVANIA.

SLED.

Application filed August 22, 1925. Serial No. 51,832.

My invention relates to llllPl'OVQlllGUtS in sleds particularly of the type steerable by inter wlatcrally bending or flexing runners, and also of the type known as folding sleds in which the runners "told beneath the deck of the sled, and my invention further relates to improved proceees in the inainitacture of it :ble sleds generally and folding sleds particularly whereby less space and time and cost is required in the Jrocess of manufacturing and whereby less space is required in the subsequent E crane and. shipment, and whereby the parts employed in the manufacture may be used interchangeably in both the folding and non-folding type oil sled and whereby the various parts employed are siinpli'liiod as to their ructure and reduced in weight. My iurer r on further relat to in'lprovenients in the term oi the deck construction of sleds and in the cm i 'uction ol the runners and the cross oars supporting: the deck slats as well as in the knees attached to the runners and supporti the deck structure.

l ne or the objects o my invention in one i to provide 'l' lding means for a sled stcerao'e with laterally bending runners of such a character as will be simple in operation. light in weight, commercially economical to inanntacture, and to provide a folding which w ill not intertere with the elliei-irioo ot the sled nor interfere with v ype of sled in general demand, and il": l to provide a folding means of -h a character that the lolding device when i in 'loldcd or nini-tohled position org-then the structure ot the sled over tlltllI'O u'cnerall y used in the non-foldand further to provide a folding 1 ol such a. character that the chances of the locking: means becoming loose and lippin out and away from the sled while ie slci, is in uorn'ial non-folded position and boil used. and steered is rendered. lIHIwSSllJlEB. 4i. lnrljhcr objcct of my invention is to pro vide a tolding means of such a character that when t e sled is in normal non-itolded posi tion and in use and being steered the steering torce when applied will be transmitted undiminished to the runners, bending the n laterally, and none of the force lost in twisting the runners, the forward upward ends of the runners lxs'no, ecured in such a manner that y capo. 2. pivoted and th lower section of the human body is substantially cylindri call or convex in shape, such parts of the sled as come in contact with the body of the user should he made concave to conform with the sl'uipeo't the body thus adding to the comfort oi the user of the sled by giving proper support to every part of the body coming inconta ct with the sled and adding to the safety oi? the use of the sled since the body is less lilcely to slip irmna concave seat than'l'roui a flat seat particularly when the sled is being steered in a curved course or is passing over an uneven surface or obstacles. By this constructlon-the center of gravity is kept low and it possible to maintain the low racing; lines oi. the sled which type of sled greatlyin dciuanih and by notching; the ends of the croir-i-lmrs, the hand or side-rails are kept low, thus reducing the height of the sled and thus further maintaining a, low center of gra vity.

A further object of my concave deck consin-action is thereby to provide space whereby the knees of the sled lnay swing when folded hencath the deck of the sled, the outer edges oi the outer deck sluts being higher than the,

Owing; to the fact that the for "aid ends of runners must necessarily hebent upwardly a large portion of the surface of the runner particularly on packed snow never comes in contact with the snow and owing to the fact that only the forward part of the runners hood to the maximum when the sled is being steered it follows For the two reasons just given that the length ot the runner that is curved and that actually comes in contact with the snow in order to steer the sled is in actual practice very small and as a consequence sleds of the flexible type and ot the most ii'uproved style to date have been more or less inel'ticient and dangerous because of their limited steering ran e. The two principal methods in use to j in attuchin tho :lorward ends of the runucri-i to the forward end oi the upper portion ol the sled has been first to bend the end of, the runner to a horizontal position and rivet to the top bar of he sled, and second to term a noose neck on the end of the runner with a horizontal end rivcted to the upper cross-liar ot' the sled, neither type of: cmistruction giving; the maximum amount of steering surface to the runner for the reason that since the end of the runner is riveted to the upper cross-bar oi the sled by vertical rivet the rui'iner must necessarily be set back a considerable distance in order to permit of this construction. The goose neck construction just described added materially to the steering length of the sled but in my invention the steering: length very materially increased over the structures ust described and under the structure oft my i evention the absolute maximum of elliciency in this respect is obtained for a given length of runner or a given length of sled.

I obtain the foregoing; objects and results of my invention by the mechanical means illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my folding sled steerable by means of laterally bending runners; Figure 2, a top plan view of the sled in normal fixed and locked non-folding position Figure 3, a plan view of the bottom of the sled showing); the runners and knees in a folded position against the bottom of the deck of the sled Figure l, a rear olevational view of the sled with the runiiers and knees in normal fixed and locked non l lded position Figure 5, a rear clevational view, showing the runners and knees in a folded position beneath the deck of the sled; Figure 6 a side elevational view of the plates whereby the knees are secured to the upper portion of the sled; Figure 7, a plan view of the said plate; Figure 8, a plan. view of one of the knees employed in the sled; Figure 9, a side elevational view of the knee; Figure 10 a rca r elevational view of the knee; Figure 11. a side elevational view of the forward end of one of the runners and the rod of the upper portion of the sled secured thereto with removable bolt, and Figure 12, a side elevational view of the forward end of one of the runners and the rod of the upper portion of the sled sccured thereto with non-removable rivets; Figure 13, is a side elevational View of the cross-bar used in the deck construction of the sled; l ip'ure ll, :1 top plan view ol' said cross-bar; l igure 1.5 a side clcvational view of a fragmentary rear end o'l one runner; Figure 16, a. top plan view of a tl ragmcntary rear end oi one of the runners.

Similar figures re to similar parts throu hout be several lows.

in iu'urcs l 2 and 3 the knees 19 and 20 are rigidly attached at their lower extremities to the runner El and at their tops support rcspcctively the cross-rods and which in turn support the deck of the sled. The crossbar 6 is not attached to a knee, and is employed merely to strengthen the deck. The cores 2t and 23 on the opposite side ot the sled are similarly en'iployed. The hand or side rails El and at extend the length of the deck and a 'e secured to the urn. bars 5. (l and 7 nrelerabl bv means of rivets. The

rods 1 and 2 extend from the side rails .1 and 3 to the forward ends of the sled, being pivoted at Til and and at ill: and to to permit the forward top end (it the sled to pivot at these points and move laterally as the runners are flexed or bent when the steering torce is applied on the lever 12, which is rigidly attaehed to the plates 11, which are pivoted and riveted at and 55. The slats S, 9 and 10 are nailed or otherwise secured to the crossbars (5 and 7 but not to the crossbar 5, which is tree to move beneath the torward ends of the slats as the sled steered. the forward ends of the slats 8, 9 and 10 being held in iii-zed relative position by the crossbar 5G.

in l .gure 1, the rod 1 has a downwardly turned end 18 which attached to the upvardly tin-nod end of runner to by means preterably of a rivet 16 and a bol 117 which pass through two holes in the end. of the rod 18 and through the holes opposite in the end ol the runner the bolt being held in position by a cotter pr= ell or other suitable means. and removable and adjustable so as: to pet-nut of the folding; of the runners on the rivet '16. A bolt with a cotter pin may be employec'l in place oi? rivet 16 it desired. The purpose of this device is to have the runner to 011;; ed to the end of the rod 1 at two or more points to prevent the twisting ot the runner when the steering: force is brine; applied for the tilti'ptil-lt. o't lJQEltllllI the runner laterally and :1: :turther object to prevent the pivoting ot the in .ner which would occur in the event that only one rivet or bolt were used to secure the runner to the downwardly extended. end of the rod just described. The belt 17 is removed when. it is desired to told the runners, thus permitting the runner to pivot or hinge at 'ltn which rivet or bolt is not intended to be re moved but may he removable. The positirms however, may be reversed and the reu'iovable bolt placed at 16 and the hinging or pivoting of the runner eflccted at 17 by means of a belt or rivet not intended to be renu vod but: which may or may not be removable. Tests Ill! and experience have demonstrated that if onlg one bolt or rivet or other pivoting means is used to attach the forward end of the "runucr l to the lip 18 of the rod 1, when the sled is in normal fixed non-folded position and is being steered, a great part of the steering 1h co is lost in twisting and pivoting the forward end of the runner to and the entire steering force, therefore, does not go into bending;- the runner laterally, very materially deer i w the steering radius and the ellicicucl oi the operation of the sled. hen the runner 34: is attached to the lip 18 at two pmiuts l6 and 1? or several points, the pivotal action is destroyed and lil the twist of the runner and the steering .i co instead of being partially cn'iployed in twisting and pivoting the forward end of the runner is our drwcd to the maximum in bending the runner lat :al, The same principle and construction is used in the opposite runner and the uppos rod In folding; the sled the cotter pin l. and the bolt 1? must be removed to allow the runner to pivot at 16 whcrcupoi'i the lmll c be replaced in the hole of lip 18 and the cotter pin replaced in the hole of the bolt thus providing a place for the cotter pin and h it while he sled is in either a folded or non-tolded puition and inaliiiur the bolt and col ter pin alwt vs available when it desired to adjust the sled from one position to an other.

In Figures 1 and 2 the rod 241 p through the knees 19 and 20 and through the cross-bars 5 and 7. The rod 24 is provided at one end with a heel: or other suitable means to prevent its passing through the knee 19 or the cross-bar 5 while at the other end there employed a cotter pin 48 to prevent the rod from slipping through the holes of the knee 20 or the hole of the cross-bar 7, thus jtoriuin an effective adjustable locking device tor the knees which. are further secured to the cross bars 5 and 'Z' pivotaltv preferably by belt or a rivet 28 as shown in Figure at, upon which bolt or rivet the knee pivots for the purpose o't folding the knees and runners which is eit- 1 d hy reinoving the cotter pin 18 and by withdrawing the rod 24: from the sled. A similar rod is employed on the op msite side of the sled, the position of the two rods when the sled is not 'lolded being shown in Figure 5., rod being equipped with a cutter pin l9 at one end and having a hook or other nxeai i: at the other end to prevent the said rod from slipping out o't its position.

Figure 3 shows the sled with the runners Q-l and 35 folded underneath the deck, the rods 13% and then occupying the positions directl v beneath the slots between the side rails 23 and *1 respectively and the slats 8 and respectively and passing above the cross-bars 5 6 and 7 and through holes in the folded .lrnees thus holding the runners and knees in a folded position. Cotter pins 48 and l9 are then inserted in the holes in the ends of the rods 24 and 25.

It will be observed that the rods 2% and 25 are utilized after the sled is folded to hold the sled securely in a folded position and that the cotter pins 48 and 19 are reinserted in the holes at the ends ofthe rods so that all, the movable parts are thus given a place and position in the folded sled so that they may be in'nnediately available when it is desired to readjust the sled to the normal nonfolded position.

In Figure at the knee 20 is shown attached to the cross-bar 7 by means preferably of a rivet or bolt 28 upon which the knee ist'ree to iivot when desired bein held in fixednorlual upright position by the rod 2% and the cotter pin 48 the rivet or bolt QS passing beneath the cross-bar 7 and thence through a groove in the plate 30 which is preferably secured to the cross-bar 7 by means of the rivets .31 S2 and 33, and the rod 24 which likewise passes through. the knee and beneath the cross bar 7 and through a groove in the plate 30. The rod M in like manner passes through the knee l9 and beneath the cross-bar 5 and through a groove in a plate similar to 30. The construction on the opposite side of the sled with resiect to the rod 25 as shown in Fi gures E2 and 3 is similar to the construction employed with respect to rod 2 1:. i

In Figure 5 the knee 20 is shown folded or pivoted about the rivet or bolt-28 and beneath the deck of the sled, while the rod ll. is shown passinp through a hole in the lip 27 of the knee 20 and above the cross-bar 7, thence it passes through a lip of the knee 20 on the opposite side of the crossbar 7. The rod l-l then extends the length of the deck ot the sled passing through knee 19 Figure 1 and crossbar 5 in a manner similar to that described with. respect to knee 1'.) and cross bar 7. e i v In lt igure (l is shown a side elevation ot the plate 30 with .ri vet or bolt pivot 28, the rod 2d: and the grooves 36 and 37 ofthe plate 30 through which pass the pivoting rivet orbolt Q8 and the locking rod The parts 31, 32 and 3;) are fragmentary views of the rivets which secure plate 30 to the crows-bar T, similar con truction being; employed thriuighout the sled for similar parts, it being observed that the rivet 1-11, Figure 4 also secures the side or hand-rail l to the cross-bar 7.

In Figure 7 is shown aplan view of the plate 30, 36 and 38 being the grooves through which pass the rivet or bolt 28 and the rod 24 Figure 4, 3S, SQ-and -10 being the holes through which pass the rivets 31, 32 and-33 Figure 4:. 1

In the means provided to secure the lip 18 to the forward upwardly bent end of the runner Figure 1 I have shown the runner so that it may be pivoted or hinged upon the aforesaid lip. as is a construction that may be used either in a folding or a nonfolding sled which may be modified by employing two 11011'10!RIOHLlllG rivets or .L'ORHOV- able bolts, thus in a non-folding sled dostroying the tendency to twist the runners when the steering force is applied for the purpose of bending the runners laterally.

Figures 11 and 12 show more particularly the structure above described, with respect to the two types of sleds, namely folding an d non-folding, it being observed that the princi pal parts are interchangeable.

In liigure l3 and Figure 14; showing respcctiwly a side elevational and a top plan view of the cross-law construction as used in assembling the deck portion of the sled, 60, (ii and 62 are to indicate the plurality of the plane sin-faces on the upper surface of the crossbar upon which rest the slats of the seat of the sled which are shown in Figures 4: and 5 in substzmtially concave construction. In Figure 13 and Figure 11,59 and 63 are notches at the ends of the crossbar upon which rest th side hand-rails t and 5 more particularly snown in Figure 41-.

Figure 15 is a side elevational View of a portion of the rear end of one of the runners of the sled showing the curved portion 66 and Figure 16 is a top plan View of the same runner showing the curved portion 67, the runner as shown being rounded both vertically and horizontally in. order to eliminate the angles and sharp points that are usually left at the end of the runners in sleds as generally manufactured and used today.

in Figure 8, 27 and 42 are the vertical lips oi the knee construction used throughout in the manufacture of the sled. These lips are formed from a portion of the seat 41 of the knee by bending the seat portion from a horizontal to a vertical position. 45 is a perforation in the seat 4E1, designed to register with the head of the rivet 68 as shown in Figure 1.

ln Figure 10, 41 is the seat of the knee previously deicribed, and 4:23 a hole through which pas es a pivoting rivet as previously de:. ibed and i l a hole through which passes the i astenin rod for belt or rivet previously described, depending upon whether the knee is used to be folded or not, in the event that the knee is used for the folding construction, the belt or red passing through the hole 44 would be removable. When the removable rod is used in the folding construction, there is a tendency for the vertical lips to spread when the weight is applied to the deck of the sled or when there is lateral pressure on the runners. To overcome this bending or spreading tendency, a strengthening web, '70, is employed to extend substantially parallel. to the top edge of each lip and a strengthening web, 69, substantially parallel to the side edge of the lip, and merging with the strengthening web, 68, with which each leg of the knee is provided, which combined with the strengthening lip, 69, tends to prevent the bendin or breakin of any portion of the knee. In Figure 9 is shown another view of tlie knee, 4-2 and 27 being the vertical lips. 4-.1. the seat and 68 the strengthening web of the leg.

I claim:

1. In a sled; the combination of laterally berating runners, cross bars and a deck, with knees secured to the runners and pivotally scoured to the cross-bars of the deck of the sled, a locking means consisting of a removable horizontal rod extending through perform tions in the knees and the cross-bar structure of the sled deck, and adjustable means to prevent the said rod from slipping out of position.

2. A sled embodying laterally bending runners, knees secured thereto, side rails, cross bars secured to said rails, rods extending from the side rails to the forward end of the sled, and pivotally mounted at their front ends to a cross member connecting said side rails.

3. A sled embodying laterally bending runners, knees secured thereto, side rails, cross bars secured to said rails, rods extending from the side rails to the front end of the sled, and pivotally mounted at their front ends to a cross member connecting said side rails, and means connecting one of said rods with said cross member and removable to permit of the folding of the sled.

4. In a sled, the combination of cross-bars for supporting a deck, laterally-bendable runners, knees pivoting the runners to the cross bars, horizontal bars connected to the deck and having depending lips which are pivotally connected to ends of the sled runners, and a longitudinally extended removable rod cooperative with a multiplicity of spaced-apart runner supports, for holding the runners in a determined posit-ion.

lVILLIAllI HENRY ELFRETH.

IOU 

